ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Lewis University women's basketball team began Thursday night's match against GLVC opponent UMSL with an unmatched intensity which gave them a clear path to victory.
 
TEAM RECORDS
Lewis 18-2, 12-1 GLVC | UMSL 16-5, 10-4 GLVC
                    
LEWIS LEADERS vs. UMSL
Points: Taylor Gugliuzza (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) (15)
Rebounds: Cierra McNamee (Moline, Ill./Illinois Central College) (8)
Assists: Gugliuzza (4)
Steals: Three tied (1)
Blocks: Gabi Hoover (Mishawaka, Ind./La Lumiere) (3)

Head Coach Keisha Newell on the win:
"I loved our defensive effort in the first half. We were locked in and our stops lead to easy baskets on the other end."

GAME SUMMARY
The Flyers began the game with a clear and decisive goal in mind, outscore the Tritons. McNamee won the tip for the Flyers and worked her way into the mid range for the first point of the game for Lewis. The Flyers would start off on an 11-0 run to begin the contest. Jenna Badali (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) would contribute five points in the opening run of scoring with a layup and a three. Gugliuzza and Cesarini would round out the 11-0 run with layups as well. 

After a good jumper for UMSL, the Flyers would throw up an 8-0 run which cooled off a few minutes left in the quarter. Kree Nunnally (Crystal Lake, Ill./Example Academy) and Yahaira Bueno (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) would add their names to the score book with layups. The highlight of the first quarter however, was the Flyers defense who forced a few turnovers, picked up some steals and showed great rim protection to end the first quarter 19-7.

Lewis continued the offensive and defensive effort in the second quarter, outscoring UMSL 22-12. It took a few offensive drives for the Flyers to get something to fall but eventually Cesarini finally got the effort going with a layup. Badali followed up on the next drive with a three off of a pass from Gugliuzza. Jasmines Jones off the bench offered a few points from around the rim and the free throw line. 

In the final two minutes of the half, Gugliuzza threw down a fast break three to put Lewis up by 21. After a trip to the free throw line by Badali and a free throw with one second on the clock for Cesarini, Lewis would head into break with a 41-19 lead. 

UMSL would outscore the Flyers in the second half but the large lead built by Lewis in the first was a good enough cushion for them for the remainder of the game. 

Lewis started the third quarter with a McNamee jumper and free throw. Gugliuzza put up a layup as the last points before a scoring drought for the Flyers which would only be broken up by a Cesarini trip to the free throw line where she went two for two. The Flyers had a burst of offensive near the end of the quarter  with a three by Nunnally, a layup by Gugliuzza and a tip in By Nunnally at the buzzer for a 20 point lead for the Flyers. 

There was a single basket for either team until 6:13 reaming in the game when UMSL put up a layup. The Flyers put up four straight free throws to be up by 19. UMSL would get some baskets at the end of the quarter to cut the deficit down, but after a strong first half by the Flyers was to much for UMSL to get over. The Flyers would win the contest 65-54. 

UP NEXT
The Flyers stay at home for a Saturday game against Lincoln at 1:00 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to join us Saturday, February 8 as we induct our newest members of the Academy of Coaches at halftime of the women's basketball game against Lincoln.
 
FLYERS ANNUAL FUND
Support the Flyers by making a gift to the Flyers Athletics Fund at https://lewisflyers.com/202425AnnualFund